Updated
Overview
Indonesia has 4.4 times the population of South Africa: 285.72 million people against 64.75 million (2025).
Indonesia's economy is 3.4 times the size of South Africa's, at $1.45T versus $427.18B.
Per person, South Africa is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $5,060 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Indonesia | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.45T | $427.18B | 2025 | $1.40T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | $5,060 | Higher: $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.1% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.9% | 3.2% | 2025 | 3.7% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.2% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $182 | Higher: $485 | 2023 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $320 | $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.38 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 285.72 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 283.59 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.4 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.10 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 71.3 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 73% | Higher: 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,904,569 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 150.0/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 812 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.9 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $11.04B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.8% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 676,000 | 89,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Indonesia is growing much faster: 5.1% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.9% in Indonesia and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Indonesia: a price level of 29 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Africa: $485 against $182 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 30.4 (Indonesia) and 28.7 (South Africa).
Life expectancy is 5.0 years longer in Indonesia (71.3 vs 66.3).
Geography
By land area, Indonesia is 56% larger than South Africa: 1,904,569 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Indonesia is far more densely settled: 150 people per km² against 53.
Military
Indonesia spends 3.9 times as much on defence as South Africa: $11.04B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Indonesia fields the larger armed forces: 676,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Indonesia bigger than South Africa?
- Indonesia is larger by land area. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so Indonesia is 56% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Indonesia or South Africa?
- Indonesia has the larger population: 285.72 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Indonesia richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Africa is richer: $6,598 against $5,060. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.45T for Indonesia versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Indonesia or South Africa?
- Indonesia spends more: $11.04B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).